SLRC takeover shows ill-effects of executive presidency – Ashu

By Nisali De Silva

Image Credit: Facebook

Bringing the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under the purview of the Ministry of Defence demonstrates the adverse effects of the executive presidency, United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Prof Ashu Marasinghe said.

Bringing the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under the purview of the Ministry of Defence demonstrates the adverse effects of the executive presidency, United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Prof Ashu Marasinghe said.

“This country has historically been plagued with problems as a result of various decisions taken by successive Executive Presidents. The whole country saw the ill effects of the executive powers in the wake of the anti-democratic conspiracy in October last year,” said the MP.

“I personally believe the Executive Presidency should be abolished, a view I have held since the start of my political career,” he added.

Acknowledging that abolishing the executive presidency was one of the 2015 election promises the UNP government couldn’t fulfil, Prof. Marasinghe expressed confidence that it could still be done.

“Even at this point, we can abolish it. We believe that Parliament needs a Cabinet of 30 ministers and a Prime Minister appointed from among those thirty ministers. Such a government would answer to the general public. Under such a government, snap decisions such as bringing the SLRC under Defence Ministry control wouldn’t be made,” he said.